Girls tennis: Glenbard South's Foster-Simbulan sets her sights on state
Had there been a state tournament last fall, Lorenza Foster-Simbulan would have been a qualifier in her first year of high school tennis.
Now the Glenbard South sophomore is instead hoping to get that opportunity this season.
Foster-Simbulan continued her strong start to the 2021 campaign with a straight set victory at No. 1 singles Thursday, helping the Raiders to a 5-2 win over Glenbard East.
She improved to 3-1 in dual meets, with her only loss coming against Bartlett.
"Last year was really exciting," said Foster-Simbulan, who would have been a state qualifier courtesy of her fourth-place finish at the St. Francis sectional. "(Being a freshman) There were obviously a lot of new things that I didn't know about and then because of the COVID season, that brought in a lot of different things too. Obviously this season is a lot different. Reflecting on it, me being a freshman last year, I'm kind of a wild card now. Nobody really knows who I am.
"But being a state qualifier gives you something on your belt and it made me a lot more confident going into this season."
She said serving is one important area that has improved since a year ago.
"You obviously don't want to put the cart before the horse," said Glenbard South fifth-year head coach Jim Fazio, "but I'd love to see her qualify again after she wasn't able to go last year. We are working toward that end game. If she keeps working hard, keeps improving, I think she can do some great things. On and off the court she's a class act and a person of quality character."
Also netting a win for the home team was Brynn Robbins at No. 3 singles.
In doubles action, Claire Pohlman and Audrey Sweeney were 6-3, 6-2 winners, SaNaya Allen and Maddie Puzon notched a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 decision, and Madeline Sebahar and Taylor Yarosz picked up a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Glenbard South improved to 2-2 in dual meets and 2-1 in Upstate Eight Conference action.
"I'm very lucky," Fazio said. "Every year I get a good team; it's a positive culture and the girls are always excited and ready to work hard. That allows us to focus on what we have to work on.
"In terms of experience, we are a little younger this year. We lost seniors who had held down spots for awhile. So some players will have to grow into those spots. Every week we are getting better and we will see if we can play our best at the end of the season."
The Rams (2-2 in dual meets) are also lacking experience, returning just two starters from last year. Glenbard East received victories from Keeli Dunaway at No. 2 singles and the pairing of Teresa Gutierrez and Teresa Matulis at No. 3 doubles.
"We have four sophomores on our squad," said coach Bill Burt, whose team has defeated Willowbrook and West Chicago. "We are learning. This group is going to improve from August to October. It's a fun group to work with, we just have to work on our fundamentals and reduce our unforced errors.
"That's where we are right now and we will keep working on that."